Belarus has stopped a Lithuanian vehicle carrying diplomatic mail, leading to a strong protest from Lithuania's Foreign Ministry over the violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
At the Medininkai border crossing, Belarusian officials demanded that diplomatic seals be removed and the car opened. When Lithuanian diplomatic couriers refused, they were forced to turn back to Lithuania, the ministry said.
"Belarusian officials have hindered the passage of the diplomatic couriers, which is a grave breach of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations,” Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said in a statement.
“Belarus has once again demonstrated that this country undermines all the rules of civilization. There is a raving dictator in the centre of Europe," he added.
On Friday, a representative of the Belarusian Embassy was summoned to the Lithuanian Foreign Minister and handed in a protest note over the detention of the diplomatic vehicle at the Lithuanian–Belarusian state border.
Under the Vienna Convention, diplomatic mail cannot be opened or detained, and diplomatic couriers are subject to a hosting country's protection. Such couriers have immunity and cannot be detained in any form.
'Unlawful and terrorist regime'
Lithuania will have to strongly respond to the Minsk regime's "terrorist" decision not to allow a diplomatic courier from entering the country, says Žygimantas Pavilionis, chairman of the Lithuanian parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs.
"It's another proof that the criminal, unlawful and terrorist regime continues to violate all international treaties and conventions [that they] themselves [use] in Vilnius as diplomats," Pavilionis told BNS on Friday.
"With no doubt, we have to respond and we will consult with the minister. I believe the minister and the ministry's note shows that,” he said, adding that Lithuania might expel more Belarusian diplomats in response.
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